Dog books: show me some good ones for #ThrowbackThursday

This week for Throwback Thursday I am changing it up a bit. I am going to share an old resource that I thought I lost from the site, but found the page yesterday when the topic cropped up. What are some good dog books about training, behavior, or living with dogs? I shared this page I made years ago about books I was reading for some courses I was taking on dog behavior and training. But today I will highlight a few of my favorite authors from the list.

John Rogerson

John Rogerson is a fantastic behaviorist from the UK, and focuses on the bond and relationship you have with your dog and using that for training. Body language, facial expressions, acting, and other creative techniques are all utilized to form a comprehensive training routine. I took a month long course led by him, and learned how to use facial expressions alone to communicate what you want from your dog. His books also focus on very practical tricks, such as teaching your dog to go find your cell phone for you. I strongly recommend his latest book, the Dog Vinci Code.

Patricia McConnell

I absolutely adore her writing style, and how you can so clearly visualize what she describes in her book. You literally feel like you are on the farm with her and her dogs. I understood so much more about shy Tig after reading her book The Cautious Canine. “Cautious” describes Tig to a T, and her book gave me such insight into what she must be thinking. Any of Patricia’s books come highly recommended.

Jean Donaldson

Jean is a fantastic Bay Area instructor, and this translates perfectly to her books. If you want to learn how to train your dog to do specific things, definitely pick up any of her titles – especially Train your dog like a Pro.

Temple Grandin

If you want to understand how an animal’s mind works, and how they see the world, Temple Grandin’s books are for you. Not only does she help you see the world in a different way, her writing is engaging as much as it is insightful.

What about memoirs, novels and other dog stories?

What are your favorite dog books

What are some of your favorites? What’s the best thing about your favorite dog books? Let us know in the comments below!

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About Author

Jen deHaan is graphic designer, small business owner, and dog person living in Bay Area, California. Jen enjoys learning about dog training and behavior, and has taken several courses and seminars since 2010. She also contributes articles to leading websites, such as Victoria Stilwell's Positively . It all started with a great dog called Mikey (aka "dude"), loved and lost but remembered forever.
Jen also runs a freelance business focusing on graphic, web, and UI design at FoundPixel, and a small business creating hand crafted dog products at Stylish Canine.

As far as training goes, I love Nicole Wilde. I actually attended a seminar of hers last year, and it was invaluable. Her memoir, “Hit by a Flying Wolf” was also a great read. I also enjoyed “Through a Dog’s Eyes” and am currently reading “Inside of a Dog”

My reading days are behind me and I never thought to read a book about dogs so those are great suggestions. I did see the one about teaching your dog tricks on TV and thought I wanted to get it and then forgot. On a side note I met Temple Grandin in a hotel in Fremont, NE a few years ago.

Thanks for this list….we have a 5 month old puppy and need some reading material! I started to read one of Patricia McConnell’s books once, but it was very heavy on the science and I just couldn’t stay interested. I don’t remember the title, but I wonder are all her books like that? Should I give her another try? Thanks!

I teach middle school and came across Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie about 12 years ago. It is one of my all – time favorite books about friendship and dogs. It’s a book for all ages and the dog doesn’t die. Love it!

I love Jean Donaldson, her book ‘Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding’ helped immensely with my newest dog. I’d never had a dog with guarding issues before and the book laid it out so nice and simply. After reading it and following her advice I can proudly say my dog is 95% better about guarding things.